I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: Middle English slege hamer, from slege sledge + hamer hammer
: a large heavy hammer that is usually wielded with both hands and used especially for driving stakes and breaking stone
II. transitive verb
: to strike with or as if with a sledgehammer
stills are officially sledgehammered at intervals — American Guide Series: Ind.
have been today sledgehammering your idea … into a sermon — Richard Whately
intransitive verb
: to strike blows with or as if with a sledgehammer
a racket of riveting and sledgehammering — Emily Hahn
kept sledgehammering away on a procedural point — Time
III. adjective
: marked by heavy-handed directness or the unsubtle use of force : blunt
a plain direct sledgehammer method — J.C.Powys
trusting in sledgehammer warfare — C.J.Rolo